The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 03, 2005
Filed:
Dec. 13, 2002
Keith E. Kropf, Newton, IA (US);
Keith E. Kropf, Newton, IA (US);
Maytag Corporation, Newton, IA (US);
Abstract
A tipping mechanism for a vertical axis washing machine includes an agitator, a drive member, a tipping member and a stationary pivot member. The pivot member preferably takes the form of a ball which is received in a socket defined by the tipping member. In a preferred form of the invention, the pivot member is provided with at least one guide member which is received in an arcuate channel, including both horizontal and vertical components, defined by the tipping member. In operation, the drive member causes the tipping member to rotate, while the arrangement of the guide member in the arcuate channel forces the tipping member to shift in various planes. This movement imparts a combination rotating and tipping motion to the agitator.